Bahrain needs cement plant to meet growing demand

Bahrain needs a new cement plant to meet the increasing market demand and the requirements of the kingdom’s construction industry, Samir Nass, head of the Contracting Committee of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) was quoted as saying on April 1, 2007.

The demand for cement in Bahrain has increased to about 150t/month since the start of 2007, compared to 120t/month in 2006, Nass said.

There is only one cement plant operating in Bahrain, but its cement output can not satisfy the consumption needs, Nass added. The plant, located in the Hidd Industrial Area, relies on imported raw material, Nass added. The cost of importing raw material makes the end price of the locally manufactured cement almost equal to the price of imported cement.

Therefore, the Bahraini Government has to consider the setting up of a new cement plant in a neighbouring country rather than in Bahrain, Nass said, and mentioned Saudi Arabia as a possible location for the proposed plant. The new cement plant should be entirely financed with Bahraini capital and should export its entire production to the local market, according to Nass.

On the other hand, Nass said that Bahrain’s largest cement importers do not plan any increase in cement prices on the Bahraini market despite the higher prices in other Arab countries.